HIGHLIGHTS

Modi said Nitish by raising issues of silt deposition was trying to confuse the people.

Nitish alleged that silt deposition in the Ganga made the floods severe.

The Farakka Barrage (Image: nrsc.gov.in)

HIGHLIGHTS

Nitish Kumar has written to PM seeking demolition of the Farakka dam.

Modi said Nitish by raising issues of silt deposition was trying to confuse the people.

Nitish alleged that silt deposition in the Ganga made the floods severe.

Senior BJP leader Sushil Modi has alleged that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was raising the issue of Farakka dam and its demolition to divert attention from Bihar government's failure in handling the floods in the state and subsequent relief work.

Speaking to the press, Modi said that there was no scientific evidence to prove that Bihar has been hit by floods because of the Farakka dam in West Bengal. The Bihar CM earlier this week had raised concern over massive silt deposition in the Ganga taking place because of the Farakka dam. Nitish after meeting PM Narendra Modi on Tuesday the Centre to consider razing the dam to protect Bihar from annual floods.

Modi said Nitish by raising issues of silt deposition was trying to confuse the people. The BJP leader alleged that Bihar government's claim that they pressurized West Bengal to open the Farakka dam was incorrect. Modi said that during monsoon season the gates of Farakka dam remain open regularly. Modi alleged that Nitish was an engineer and should not make confusing comments.

Modi said that before demanding demolition of Farraka dam, Nitish should have first sought CM Mamta Bannerjee's views whether she was fine with Farakka dam demolition.

"Nitish Kumar government was not ready to provide relief and rehabilitation wot to flood victims and therefore Chief Minister is not confusing people", said Modi.

Modi also slammed RJD President Lalu Prasad for asking people to welcome floods in Ganga. He said that Lalu tried to calm down anger of flood victims through his comments.